Protective shield for x-ray fluorescence (xrf) system

Abstract

In one embodiment, a protective shield for a spectrometer is provided. The shield includes a body and an aperture that includes a protective mesh. The protective mesh includes a high-strength, low Z material, such as an arrangement of carbon fibers. A method of fabrication and a spectrometer are disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A protective shield for a spectrometer, the shield comprising:
 a body and an aperture comprising a protective mesh, the protective mesh comprising a high-strength, low Z material.   
     
     
         2 . The shield as in  claim 1 , wherein the material comprises at least one of carbon fibers, beryllium, boron nitride, and a para-aramid synthetic fiber. 
     
     
         3 . The shield as in  claim 2 , wherein the carbon fibers comprise at least one of: an arrangement of orthogonally oriented carbon fibers, and angular arrangement of carbon fibers, disoriented carbon fibers, and a plurality of layers of carbon fibers. 
     
     
         4 . The shield as in  claim 2 , wherein the carbon fibers comprise at least one of: a degree of impurities, a polymer, and a binder. 
     
     
         5 . The shield as in  claim 1 , wherein a design of the protective mesh provides a balance of physical strength and limited radiation interference. 
     
     
         6 . The shield as in  claim 1 , wherein the protective mesh is thin in comparison to a thickness of the body. 
     
     
         7 . The shield as in  claim 1 , wherein the aperture comprises a recess. 
     
     
         8 . The shield as in  claim 1 , further comprising at least one thruway for mounting the shield to the spectrometer. 
     
     
         9 . The shield as in  claim 1 , wherein the body further comprises at least one of: a magnet, and a radiofrequency identification (RFID) device. 
     
     
         10 . The shield as in  claim 1 , wherein the spectrometer comprises an x-ray fluorescence device. 
     
     
         11 . A method for fabricating a protective shield for a spectrometer, the method comprising:
 configuring a body for mounting to the spectrometer; and   incorporating a protective mesh comprising a high-strength, low Z material into an aperture of the body.   
     
     
         12 . The method as in  claim 11 , further comprising selecting a protective mesh that comprises at least one of carbon fibers, beryllium, boron nitride, and a para-aramid synthetic fiber. 
     
     
         13 . The method as in  claim 12 , wherein the carbon fibers comprise at least one of: an arrangement of orthogonally oriented carbon fibers, and angular arrangement of carbon fibers, disoriented carbon fibers, and a plurality of layers of carbon fibers. 
     
     
         14 . The method as in  claim 11 , wherein the configuring comprises providing an aperture in the body to align with a window of the spectrometer. 
     
     
         15 . The method as in  claim 11 , further comprising incorporating at least one of a magnet and a radiofrequency identification (RFID) device into the body. 
     
     
         16 . An x-ray fluorescence spectrometer comprising:
 an opening in a housing for at least one of providing primary radiation and receiving characteristic emissions from a sample, the housing including a mount for mounting a protective shield thereon; and   a protective shield mounted to the housing, the protective shield comprising a body and an aperture comprising a protective mesh, the protective mesh comprising at least one of carbon fibers, beryllium, boron nitride, and a para-aramid synthetic fiber.   
     
     
         17 . The spectrometer as in  claim 16 , configured as a hand-held device. 
     
     
         18 . The spectrometer as in  claim 16 , configured for field use. 
     
     
         19 . The spectrometer as in  claim 16 , configured for analysis of materials in a scrap yard.